Water Career Program

• Career introduction & education – GRCC and the City use funding (including a U.S. EPA grant) to introduce middle and high school students, adult learners, and neighborhood residents to water and wastewater industry careers. This includes camps, hands-on learning, tours, and STEM-focused activities that increase awareness about how utilities operate and the jobs involved.
• Internship opportunities – Participants in programs connected to the partnership (such as the Utility Aide internship) work directly with the Grand Rapids Water System (e.g., at treatment plants or in maintenance) while completing coursework, gaining real-world experience and exposure to critical utility operations.
• Training & credentials – Through related programs like GRCC’s Water to Work initiative, students complete industry-aligned coursework (often with partner institutions like Bay College) and paid internships that prepare them for careers such as utility operator, maintenance technician, and more. Many programs lead toward water-technology certificates and, ultimately, state licensing in water/wastewater operations.
• Workforce development – This collaboration helps the City recruit and retain skilled workers while supporting GRCC’s broader mission of workforce training and economic mobility for community members.

In short, the partnership blends education, hands-on training, and real employment experience to prepare people for careers that support water quality, infrastructure, and public health — with strong connections between the City’s Water System and GRCC and Bay College’s workforce programs.